City saves firefighter positions with federal funding

The city of Portland has saved 26 threatened firefighter positions, thanks to a $4.5 million grant awarded Thursday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Portland Fire & Rescue will use the grant to protect funding for 26 firefighter positions for two years.

Money to permanently retain the firefighters was eliminated in the citys 2013-14 budget, but enough temporary funding was provided so the city could seek alternate funding via the FEMA grant. The grant, from FEMAs Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant program, will keep Portlands emergency response staffing at its current levels.

City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who oversees the fire bureau, said he hopes the firefighter positions will be retained after the two-year funding is expended.

"I will make certain City Council follows through on its commitment to reestablish this funding from local sources at the end of the grant, Saltzman said, and thank all our firefighters for their patience as this process unfolded and for the important work they do every day."

Steve Law can be reached at 503-546-5139 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .